Booting the XServe is a bit different from all other Macintosh models made by Apple. For instance, we like to use Target Disk Mode for acquisitions of Macs. This is normally available thru a simple key-press. On the XServe, one must use the following guide.

From the “XServe User’s Guide”, Alternative Startup Methods are available

Knight Rider Mode is an affectionate term from the lighting that will flash back and forth across the grill of the XServe at boot, similar to the car in the show Knight Rider.

We supply this piece of the the XServe User’s Guide as a reference only. We must strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the OS X server environment as well as XSan and RAID before any live response or acquisitions. Apple has made many server resources available here.